can a 2006 Prius pull a small trailer?
We are interested in pulling a Cricket trailer on a road trip. Can a Prius handle a weight of 1460 (unloaded)? If so, how expensive is it to install a standard 2 " ball hitch? Thank you!
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2006 Toyota Prius Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The highly popular Toyota Prius continues to garner attention throughout the world, and the 2006 Toyota Prius has been so popular that cars need to be ordered months in advance. The Prius remains primarily unchanged since its redesign in 2004. Changes for 2006 include a rear view camera, new airbags, and a better LCD display.
Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system includes a 1.5 liter inline four engine, teamed with two electric motors. The first motor functions as a power generator, for engine startup and battery recharging. The second electric motor drives the front wheels, along with the engine. The total power output is 110 horsepower. The Synergy Drive system is paired with Toyota's continuously variable transmission. The gasoline engine practically lies dormant at city speeds, as the second electric motor powers the car by itself. The EPA estimate for the Prius is 60/51 mpg.
Standard features include steering wheel audio and climate controls, a six speaker CD sound system, a trip computer, cruise control, power windows, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. A DVD-based navigation system with voice-activation is an available add-on. Bluetooth and SmartKey are also optional, as is a JBL audio upgrade with nine speakers and an in-dash CD changer.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2006 Toyota Prius
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by Nominzaya B
Jun 18, 2024
I think it is economical in space and also economical in the wallet.Jun 18, 2024
by Kerwin M
Feb 24, 2024
The inside of the car stinks, terrible paint Job om the hood and engine bay shows a lack of maintenance Feb 24, 2024
by Dwight G
Nov 17, 2022
Great car! Super gas saver! Ahead of its time! Nov 17, 2022
User rating:
by Nominzaya B
Jun 18, 2024
I think it is economical in space and also economical in the wallet.Jun 18, 2024
by Kerwin M
Feb 24, 2024
The inside of the car stinks, terrible paint Job om the hood and engine bay shows a lack of maintenance Feb 24, 2024
by Dwight G
Nov 17, 2022
Great car! Super gas saver! Ahead of its time! Nov 17, 2022
by Alexandre S
Mar 21, 2022
Good car excelente in gás battery hybrid economy Nice carMar 21, 2022
by Pat K
Sep 28, 2021
no backup camera. good display and roomier than one might guess.Sep 28, 2021
by Miguel R
Sep 01, 2021
I am surprised that this car to use the battery has to be driven at 40 or less per hr
Not for me I will be looking at full EVSep 01, 2021
by Anonymous
Jul 29, 2021
The car has great gas mileage. With a hybrid battery. The backup camera is a nice feature to have on a car in this year model. The value that we received when purchasing this car is incredible being a previous Prius owner. The dealers were very kind and and efficient.Jul 29, 2021
by Jonnie Y
Jun 11, 2021
He was very helpful and the car was a good value Jun 11, 2021
by JON H
Mar 15, 2021
decent speed. solid feel. good service. nice fit. ill probably buy again.Mar 15, 2021
by Anonymous
Oct 19, 2020
Really good car I love you I do have same car Oct 19, 2020
by Shola A
Jul 29, 2020
Toyota Prius 2006 Model is a great riding vehicle. It has all of the Toyota qualities and then some. Reliable, inexpensive to maintain, frugal on gas and extremely reliable. Properly maintained, it can go 500,000 miles and more.Jul 29, 2020
by Anonymous
Feb 07, 2015
I personally like the look of the Prius and i love that it is eco friendly. The car is very comfortable and quiet. 170k miles on it with only basic maintenance. The gas mileage is phenomenal and cost wise vey fair. The acceleration on the car is slow, but the braking and handling is great making the vehicle very safe. Feb 07, 2015
by Robert P
Nov 07, 2014
Great car for commuting and for 2 people touring. Very low maintenance, and survived hitting a deer head on. We have taken it cross country and it has performed well on long trips. Annoying that you loose air conditioning when not moving.Nov 07, 2014
by Brian D
Mar 23, 2014
I love that the car can drive me anywhere, anytime. The leather seats are a plus. The car brake well, handles pretty well; Car feels safe, enough room for everything I need. I would NOT recommend for families of more than 4; or, if you travel, families of more than 3. Mar 23, 2014
by Michael M
Jan 05, 2014
What can't this car do? with the rear seats folded flat you can move almost as much as a SUV, I can put my bike in the back with out taking the wheel off. The rear view camera helps you park in the tightest of places. The blue tooth in this car makes a busy professional so efficient, you make calls safely from the steering wheel. Never ever use a conventional key again, keep the fob in your pocket and just touch the door handle to unlock the car, sit down put your foot on the key and press the push start button to start the car, no need to take the fob out of your pocket. A car to love, I never kept a car this long, now I have purchased a new one. Jan 05, 2014
by Anonymous
Nov 11, 2013
Love how I can save great gas mileage on my Toyota Prius. Toyota Prius also has a touch screen inside the vehicle. It has Bluetooth, navigation system, backup camera, voice command, and commercial locations on the navigation system. One of the best vehicle in this time right now.Nov 11, 2013
by Matthew V
Aug 29, 2013
This car has been excellent. I am very diligent about maintenance and never had a problem with the engine or transmission. Had a minor issue replacing the water pump but it was eventually covered by a recall.I would recommend this car to others.
Update: at just over 150,000 miles, the hybrid battery failed (just out of warranty). This was initially very bad news. However, Toyota was very accommodating due to the mileage being just outside of the warranty period. They essentially provided the new battery for no change and I was responsible for the labor charges to install it. It's good to go again for another 150,000 miles...Aug 29, 2013
by Shirley P
Aug 25, 2013
Nothing, I just prefer a small SUV. It did save me on gas and I loved this feature. I need more storage space for my personal needs. I got an average of 45 mpg. I do a lot of highway travel so maybe it would be better if I did not.
Aug 25, 2013
by Anonymous
Jul 26, 2013
We play music in a family band. There is a fair amount of traveling involved as well as equipment to lug around. The Prius, though totally un-sexy (!), has served us well. It can fit quite a lot of stuff inside and handles pretty well. It feels safe and did I mention the fuel savings? That's the biggest plus.Jul 26, 2013
by Anonymous
Jul 19, 2013
I loved this car. It is large enough to fit two bikes or a queen futon mattress- that's a lot of cargo space. The maintenance is almost non-existant (though I've never been in a crash with it), as its required only the basics. Perfect family vehicle.Jul 19, 2013
by Sybil D
Dec 23, 2012
This Prius is just the right size with more open space in the front than the newer models. Lots of storage compartments for glasses, CD's, etc. Great visibility, easy parking with back-up camera, has navigation system. Enjoy your ride with comfortable leather seats, hands free bluetooth phone, great sound system. Spend less time and money at the pump with this hybrid car. Plenty of power for acceleration onto the highway. Love the Smart Key, never have to use a key, just press the button and go. Dec 23, 2012
by Bob C
Jul 15, 2012
What I really like is that it is very nice to drive - I owned a Honda CRX back in the day - and it was a fun car to drive - but only had two seats and it too was small - but you knew you were in a small car before you got in, and after you got in. The Prius - looks small on the outside, but it is very roomy and comfortable on the inside - there is tons of space for both people and cargo - it is now our go-to car on the weekends or for family trips. We only take the van when we are going really long distance and need the room.
Comfortable to drive - quiet and handles greatJul 15, 2012
by Anonymous
Apr 30, 2012
The Prius was everything we were hoping for when we bought it six years ago. The mileage was excellent, and the bluetooth keys and in-dash GPS were great features uncommon in the sub<$30,000 pricepoint at the time. We also have a 2011 Outback which still doesn't have as many "fun" features as our 5-years-older Prius. We've also been very happy with the repair record on the car; it has been extremely reliable.
The two downsides of the Prius for us have been: size is tight for a family of four (though still manageable), and the lack of 4WD has made snow driving difficult at times, particularly on hills.Apr 30, 2012
by Mark C
Sep 08, 2010
What gas milage 47 MPG !!!! in town driving like a compleate A HOLE!!!!. I test drove many hybrid cars before purchasing this one and have to say that the Prius has way more power than the others. Have nothing but great things to say about it. Has this really cool instant MPG gauge and bar chart that gives you your average gas milage in 5min incremets . Best MPG so far was 78MPG on an 11 mile trip to Walmart.Sep 08, 2010
by Rlyeh M
Dec 06, 2009
The car has a really little mileage in the city.
When you drive on the highway over 120 km/h then the mileage goes rapidly uip.
The maintenance is also slight.
I have the car over three years and I didn't need a repairing.Dec 06, 2009
by Marc S
May 21, 2009
Toyota's most reliable car. Extremely solid, and it's not as complicated as you think. It's quick enough to be used in traffic, but it goes around corners like an elephant on rollerskates through a puddle of heavy syrup. Cheap as hell to run and maintain, comfortable, relatively slow. Cornering is exciting in the same way as being stabbed is exciting.May 21, 2009
by Frank Z
Feb 05, 2009
I can see why it was the Consumer Reports top pick
for '07. It got us through the Skyrocketing Gas
Prices and paying for gas now isn't a barrel of
monkeys either, of course. I can see performance
potential with hybrids. Sometimes, it seems people
want to race, and while suddenly their car slips
behind as their transmission shifts up, and I laugh
as the electric motor constantly peels off the
torque, while the gas motor makes its monotone
whine, still never very loud, maybe Priuses (Prii?)
should get louder pipes, though thanks to the
continuously variable transmission, the exhaust
note is mind numbingly boring. But, oh yeah, I was
mocking you all for your cool sounding revving motor, you slave to the Otto-cycle chumps. Oh,
you step on your brake, and all that potential
energy goes to waste as friction heating up the
brakes? S-s-s-s-s-s-sucker!!!!!! Somewhere Satan
laughs at thee! Anyway, thick A-pillars are
definitely the top negative. Awkward overhead
airbags may cause accidents. Fits more than your
average pickup, once brought home a table, 4
chairs, and enough room for a cooler or two.
Toyota traction control sucks, it basically decides
not to move the wheels if it detect the slightest
slip. Makes Minnesota winters seem longer. On dry
roads, though, it's great.Feb 05, 2009
by Jason F
Dec 15, 2008
This car is amazing. If we ride it hard, and gun it at every light, we still get 40mpg. It's got plenty of pep and has a really nice ride. We've had it for a little over 2 years now and have absolutely no complaints. I think everyone should have one!
We were looking at the Mazda 3 hatchback and the Kia Spectra5 and this has the best build, most useful features, and by far the largest cabin. Plus Toyota's are known to be reliable and have great resale value (although I don't think we'd ever sell this!)Dec 15, 2008
by Jacques C
Oct 14, 2008
50 MPG average... what's not to like! Comfortable, plenty of headroom. All in all, spunky little car; plenty of pickup & go! Great braking (I know, I had to use 'em a few times). VSC to keep on the road when it's slick out there. And quiet like a whisper. Enough said. Go try one, you'll see!!Oct 14, 2008
by Ferhat C
Aug 22, 2008
Test drove this at the motor show back in 2006.
Wanted to test the hybrid engine. Performance is not
so good, don't like the way it switches from petrol to
electric, but I guess it is not designed for performance. Fuel economy is excellent, I guess cheap
to run, and solid Toyota reliability and build quality.
Very boring to drive though, most importantly,
extremely ugly.Aug 22, 2008
by Nickolay M
Jul 01, 2008
Part of the problem of these kind of reviews is the value placed on performance and even appearance. The performance is terrific for what the car is-- namely a gas saver. Same for its appearance. The design is for it to be aerodynamic-- hence why Prius do not offer sunroofs.Jul 01, 2008
by Leslie B
Jun 25, 2008
I hated this car when I first got it. It takes no prize the beauty department, and the seats are not as comfortable as my old Infiniti. But then about 2 weeks into driving it, I suddenly realized that I love it. It's quiet as a mouse, has all kinds of cool gadgets, and of course there's the mpg factor. I'm totally sold on the hybrid concept. Get rid of your gas guzzling SUV and find yourself a Prius. Jun 25, 2008
by Lisa H
Jun 17, 2008
Averaging between 50 - 53 mpg!Jun 17, 2008
by Ann Y
Jun 09, 2008
WONDERFUL first car, easy to drive, easy handling,AMAZING mileage, compact, quiet. but TINY, as in, screwed in accidents. Good mileage partially due to light build, which is great- unless your crushed in an accident. Decent airbag system, but very fragile exterior...i.e. you'd be eaten by an larger car.Jun 09, 2008
by Anonymous
Apr 21, 2008
Totally cool, easy to steer, quietest car ever, and totally reliableApr 21, 2008
by Staffan S
Apr 19, 2008
This is the ultimate car. Only 0,5L consumtion for 10 km. Battery and gasoline engine combined.
I has just everything a car should have. It is solid, runs perfect.
Not one problem during 90000 km says it all.Apr 19, 2008
by Christopher C
Feb 20, 2008
(This was my car before I had a Ford Focus, we got a two year lease on this)
Oooo! The darling of Hollywood, and its not a shabby car.
I got the package w/JBL sound and Bluetooth, and I have to say, I miss the car. Bluetooth worked like a charm,but the sound system sucked. The backup camera was a real plus, and saved my butt from rising insurance fees by making sure that I could see that parked car. On that note, it is hard to see out of the back window.
The car had trouble going up hills, even if I gunned the engine. But yes, this is a non performance car. Gas mileage was stellar, I got somewhere around 50mpg(I did have a switch that switched the car to electric mode, and that helped).
The car was high quality, everything was nice and the car looks nice too.
I miss my Prius dearly. Feb 20, 2008
by Kyle P
Jan 06, 2008
Why on God's green earth would anyone pay $30,000 for a piece of junk car that gets 55 mpg. I did not fit in it (6'2") and the drive was nothing special. There is no excuse why this car does not also plug into the wall as well as recharge from the engine and brakes. That would actually make sense and people who made short commutes would pay for no gas at all. Personally I am waiting for the Chevy Volt.Jan 06, 2008
by Test T
Dec 15, 2006
This is a great car for all around city commuting. It handles well, has a reasonable ride, and of course the gas millage is good.
The build quality has been up to the standards of Toyota i.e., fantastic. With 3000 miles on the car I have had zero issues.
The acceleration is slow which is to be expected. It does feel a little tippy when aggressively turning corners, but a Porsche it is not. The interior noise is reasonable and it is easy enough to carry on a conversation.
Highway driving is good, but leave plenty of room to pass. There is very little get up and go.
Dec 15, 2006
What users have asked
2006 Prius speedometer automatically dims with bright sun.
2006 Prius speedometer automatically dims with bright sun. Tried everything on dials and menus including covering light sensor. I cannot see the speed when driving in the sun. HELP!
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Prius hybrid battery
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Can't seem to get a conformation email sent to start process?
If I try to edit email I get a error.
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I have a 2006 Prius that is unreliable when it rains.
I have a 2006 Prius that is unreliable when it rains. By that I mean most of the time it runs fine, but 3 times now after I start driving in the rain for about 5 min, the Caution, anti-skid and tire lights comes on. The car will keep running, but if I Stop and shut it off, it will not start , all the dash lights come on and the car will not start or go into Drive. After the rain stops and dries out for 2 days, it starts like nothing happened.
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Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2006 Toyota Prius?Compare this car
2006 Toyota Prius Pricing
Original MSRP
$22,345 to $22,345Price range
$5,361 to $5,904Average price on CG
$5,605YoY price change
$5,885 to $5,605Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front and rear head airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Multi-function remote: hands-free multi-function remote with keyless ignition · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: air conditioning · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 8
Engine
Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 295 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 76 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 82 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4200
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside
Suspension
Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Type: torsion bar · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent · Rear wiper: intermittent